Christmas in Sierra Leone

Many of us were lucky enough to have spent Christmas with our families. I welcome the hustle and bustle... the crowds... the craziness of 7 nieces and nephews all excited to see one another and ALL excited about their gifts.

As I read my beautiful friend's (Jessie) blog... I feel a little silly when I think about MY family all squished into one room on Christmas morning. She planned, prepared, and hosted Christmas in Sierra Leone, Africa for 200+ children, and 30 staff members! How Superwoman is that?

To catch any of the newbies up: Jessie is a dear friend that has moved to Africa for 6 months to help out with the Raining Season - an incredible organization started by friends of ours. They have started an orphanage that now has 80+ children and it is still growing! They provide food, shelter, clothing, education, LOVE and scripture for these incredible children.

Jessie has been busy keeping all the skyping flowing well (if you sponsor a child, you get to skype with them regularly!!!) and implementing a discipline system for the children.

But Christmas day, they opened their doors and invited children on the street to come in and partake in the meal and festivities of the day. The children put on a play they had been rehearsing of the Jesus' birth. And they even rented a sound system and a dj to keep the party rocking! Who knew you could "rent" a sound system and hire a dj in Sierra Leone?!?!

Check out Jessie's blog http://anyroadanycost.blogspot.com/ for more photos and stories. But here's just a few pics that I snagged from her last blog.

Enjoy this Christmas Spirit from around the world!

The Children all dressed up in their finest


"Tailored-for-Jessie-Christmas-dress"!




Now look at these beautiful, healthy children!!! So many of them were malnourished and sick when they arrived at the Covering. Now look at their healthy, happy faces!










Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie